Air Pump Usable for Inflating Object Rapidly

ABSTRACT

An air pump defines first and second ends and includes a tube, a tappet assembly movably connected to the tube, a connector joined to the tube and disposed at the second end of the air pump, and a nozzle head to which an object to be inflated by the air pump is engaged is disposed at the first end of the air pump. Moreover, the air pump is operable in a first mode where a gas cartridge is engaged with the connector and the object is inflated by the gas cartridge rapidly. Also, the air pump is operable in a second mode where the tube and the tappet are moved relatively for pumping air into the object. Additionally, the gas cartridge is useable as a handle gripped for causing the tube to move with respect to the tappet assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an air pump and, in particular, to an air pump operable in one mode that it is operably moved to pump air into an object, and in another mode that a gas cartridge is equipped therewith for inflating the object rapidly.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIGS. 14 to 16 show an air pump kit including a gas cartridge 8 and an air pump 9. The air pump 9 includes a pump head at a first end 901 and a pumping assembly at a second end 902 thereof, respectively. The air pump further includes a tube 903, a plunger 904, and a nozzle 905. The plunger 904 is reciprocally moved for pumping air into an object connected to the air pump. The nozzle 905 is defined in the pump head and exposes to outside at a side of the pump head. Further, first and second threaded orifices 906 and 907 are defined in the first and second ends 901 and 902 of the air pump, respectively, and a valve stem 908 is disposed in the first threaded orifice 906. When the gas cartridge 8 is used with the air pump 9 in order to inflate an object rapidly, an outlet of the gas cartridge 8 is threaded in the first threaded orifice 906 and the valve stem 908 can urge a closure of the gas cartridge 8 to open as to allow air therein to flow into the pump head and out from the nozzle and into the object through the valve thereof. Additionally, in the event that air in the gas cartridge 8 is used up during inflating operation, the gas cartridge 8 can be used as a grip to move the plunger 904 to pump the object. Namely, the gas cartridge 8 is disengaged from the first threaded orifice 906 and engaged with the second threaded orifice 907. While the gas cartridge 8 is adapted to be mounted on the pump head for allowing the construction of a passage to the nozzle 905, inconvenience is incurred from engagement of the nozzle 905 and the object in order to avoid interference between the gas cartridge 8, the air pump and the object, for example, a bicycle wheel, and the user is impeded from obtaining a position that facilitates the operation of the air pump. In addition, it is a troublesome work to change the position of the gas cartridge 8 from the first end 901 to the second end 902 of the air pump in order to use the gas cartridge 8 as a grip.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, an air pump defines first and second ends and includes a tube, a tappet assembly movably connected to the tube, a connector joined to the tube and disposed at the second end of the air pump, and a nozzle head to which an object to be inflated by the air pump is engaged is disposed at the first end of the air pump. Moreover, the air pump is operable in a first mode where a gas cartridge is engaged with the connector and the object is inflated by the gas cartridge rapidly, and air discharged from the gas cartridge flows in the tube, the tappet assembly, and the connector and existing from the nozzle head into the object. Also, the air pump is operable in a second mode where the tube and the tappet are moved relatively for pumping air into the object. Additionally, the gas cartridge is selectively engaged with the air pump which operates in the second mode and is useable as a handle gripped for causing the tube to move with respect to the tappet assembly.

Other objects, advantages, and new features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanied drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air pump in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 1 in a first mode for inflating an object rapidly, with the air pump equipped with a gas cartridge.

FIG. 3 is a partial, exploded perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a partial, enlarged view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 1 in a second mode where the air pump is operably moved to pump air out, with the gas cartridge used as a grip.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 1 in the second mode, with the gas cartridge disengaged from the air pump.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an air pump in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the air pump of FIG. 9 in a first mode for inflating an object rapidly, with the air pump equipped with a gas cartridge.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 1 in the first mode.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump of FIG. 1 in a second mode where the air pump is operably moved to pump air out, with the gas cartridge engaged with the air pump and adapted to be used as a grip.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a conventional air pump kit including an air pump and a gas cartridge in a position for inflating an object rapidly.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the air pump kit of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is another perspective view of the conventional air pump kit of FIG. 14, with the gas cartridge in a position where the gas cartridge is adapted to be used as a grip to operably move the air pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 through 8 show an air pump 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention including a tube 10, a tappet assembly 20, a connector 30, a nozzle head 40, and a flexible and resilient conduit 50. Moreover, the air pump 1 defines a longitudinal length between first and second ends 101 and 102 thereof, and the nozzle head 40 and the connector 30 are disposed at the first and second ends 101 and 102, respectively.

The tube 10 and the tappet assembly 20 are movably connected to each other. The tappet assembly 20 includes a plunger 21, a piston 22, a joint 23, a sleeve 24, and an adapter 25. The plunger 21 defines a longitudinal length between first and second ends thereof and is hollow. The piston 22 and the adapter 25 are joined at the first and second ends of the plunger 21, respectively. The sleeve 24 is disposed outside and surrounds the outer periphery of the plunger 21 and is joined thereto via the joint 23 which is disposed at the second end of the plunger 21. Furthermore, the joint 23 defines a first connecting end 231, and a second connecting end 232. Further, a cap 233 is disposed on the second connecting end 232 of the joint 23. Also, the second connecting end 232 defines an engaging section 234 therein. Furthermore, the sleeve 24 and the plunger 21 are radially spaced from each other, that is, a gap is defined between the inner periphery of the sleeve 24 and the outer periphery of the plunger 21. In addition, the piston 22 is inserted into and restrained within the tube 10. Moreover, the plunger 21 is movably received within the tube 10, and as the plunger 21 is moved towards the tube 10 the sleeve 24 is moved therewith and surrounds a length of the tube 10 thereafter.

The connector 30 defines a connecting section 31, a receiving section 32, a receptacle 33, and a passage 34, and includes a valve stem 35, an anti-reverse flow mechanism 36, and a cap 37. Moreover, the connector 30 defines a longitudinal length between first and second ends thereof. The connecting section 31 is defined on the outer periphery of the connector 30 and is engaged with the inner periphery of the tube 10 for joining the connector 30 to the tube 10. In the preferred embodiment, the tube 10 and the connector 30 are in thread engagement. The receiving section 32, the receptacle 33, and the passage 34 are defined in the connector 30, that is, the receiving section 32 extends from the first end and along the longitudinal length of the connector 30, and the receptacle 33 extends from the receiving section 32 and along the longitudinal length of the connector 30, and the passage 34 extends radially from the receptacle 33 to the outer periphery of the connector 30. Furthermore, the receiving section 32, the receptacle 33, and the passage 34 are communicated with one another, and the receiving section 32 and the passage 34 are interconnected by the receptacle 33. Additionally, the passage 34 is disposed within the tube 10. The valve stem 35 is disposed in the receptacle 33 and includes an aperture 351 extending therethrough and communicating with the passage 34 and defines a poking end 352. The anti-reverse flow mechanism 36 is disposed on the outer periphery of the connector 30 and within the tube 10 and is closer to the second end of the connector 30 than the passage 34. In the preferred embodiment, the anti-reverse flow mechanism 36 is in the shape of a ring.

The nozzle head 40 is joined to the tappet assembly 20 and in fluidal communication with each other via the conduit 50, that is, the conduit 50 connects a first distal end of the nozzle head 40 and the adapter 25 on the plunger 21. Furthermore, the nozzle head 40 includes a retention end 41, and a valve stem 42. Additionally, the nozzle head 40 and the conduit 50 are disposed within the plunger 21 when the air pump 1 is completely collapsed and is outside the plunger 21 when the air pump 1 is completely extended, respectively. When the air pump 1 is completely collapsed, the nozzle head 40 is held in place by the engaging section 234 of the joint 23, and the cap 23 closes a second distal end of the nozzle head 40 and the retention end 41 thereof.

In use of the air pump 1 in a first mode for inflating an object 2 rapidly as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cap 37, which engages with the receiving section 32 which can therefore keep out from the dirt, is opened; a gas cartridge 3 includes an outlet engaged in the receiving section 32 to connect the gas cartridge 3 to the air pump 1, and the outlet is opened by the poking end 352; the nozzle head 40 and the conduit 50 are disposed outside the plunger 21 with the conduit 50 facilitating engagement of the nozzle head 40 with the object 2, and the second distal end of the nozzle head 40 is engaged with the object 2 with the retention end 41 engaging with a valve of the object 2. Then, air in the gas cartridge 3 flows into the aperture 351 and gets out of connector 30 from the passage 34 and passes through the anti-reverse flow mechanism 36 into the tube 10. High-pressurized air in the gas cartridge 3 is able to force its way through the anti-reverse flow mechanism 36, and the anti-reverse flow mechanism 36 prevents air from flowing back to the passage 34. Next, air in the tube 10 flows into the plunger 21 through a channel defined in the piston 22 and exits out of the plunger 21 into the conduit 50 through the joint 23. Finally, air flows out of the nozzle head 40 from the valve stem 42 and into the object 2. Additionally, because the channel in the piston 22 is of a diametrical size relatively smaller than that of the tube 10, the plunger 21 is quickly moved out of the tube 10 when air in the tube 10 passes through the piston 22. As shown in FIG. 5, because air flows into the air pump 1 rapidly, the plunger 21 is fully extended out of the tube 10 during the operation of inflating the object 2. Moreover, the air pump 1 is operable in a second mode where the air pump 1 is operably moved to pump air out as shown in FIG. 7. To operably move the air pump 1, user thereof holds the sleeve 24 with one hand and grips the gas cartridge 3 with another hand and reciprocally moves the gas cartridge 3 to draw outside air into the air pump 1 and to cause the plunger 21 to reciprocally move with respect to the tube 10. While the gas cartridge 3 can be used as a handle to facilitate the operation of the air pump 1, the user can disengage the gas cartridge 3 from the air pump 1 and use the tube 10 instead, yet disengagement therebetween will not inflict any inconvenience on the user when carrying out the second-mode operation of the air pump 1.

FIGS. 9 through 13 show an air pump 4 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The air pump 4 including a tube 60, a tappet assembly 70, a connector 80, and a nozzle head 90. Moreover, the air pump 4 defines a longitudinal length between first and second ends 401 and 402 thereof, and the nozzle head 90 and the connector 80 are disposed at the first and second ends 401 and 402, respectively. The tube 60 and the tappet assembly 70 are movably connected to each other. The tappet assembly 70 includes a plunger 71, an anti-reverse flow mechanism 72, and a piston 73. The plunger 71 includes a hollow inner plunger body 711 and a hollow outer plunger body 712, and the inner plunger body 711 is movably received in the outer plunger body 712. Additionally, the connector 80 defines a receiving section 81, a receptacle 82, and a passage 83, and includes a valve stem 84, and a cap 85. The receiving section 81, the receptacle 82, and the passage 83 are communicated with one another. The valve stem 84 is disposed in the receptacle 82 and defines a poking end 842. Furthermore, the nozzle head 90 includes a retention end 91 and a valve stem 92.

In use of the air pump 4 in a first mode for inflating an object rapidly, the nozzle head 90 is engaged with the object with the retention end 91 engaging with a valve of the object; the cap 37, which engages with the receiving section 81 which can therefore keep out from the dirt, is opened; the gas cartridge 3 is engaged with the air pump 4 with an outlet thereof engaged in the receiving section 81, and the outlet is opened by the poking end 842. Then, air in the gas cartridge 3 flows past the valve stem 84 and into the passage 34. Next, air flows from the passage 34 into the inner plunger body 711 and passes the anti-reverse flow mechanism 72 disposed in the inner plunger body 711 and through a channel defined the piston 73 before flowing out of the inner plunger body 711. High-pressure air in the gas cartridge 3 is able to force its way through the anti-reverse flow mechanism 72 and into the channel of the piston 73, and the anti-reverse flow mechanism 36 prevents air from flowing back to the passage 34. Finally, air flows into the nozzle head 90 and thereout from the valve stem 92 into the object through the valve thereof. Likewise, the air pump 4 is operable in a second mode where the air pump 4 is operably moved to pump air out. To operably move the air pump 4, the tube 60 and the tappet assembly 70 are reciprocally moved with respect to each other, namely, the tube 60 and the inner plunger body 711 are moved together with respect to the second inner plunger body 712; the gas cartridge 3 is gripped as a handle to facilitate the operation of the air pump 4. During the operation, outside air is drawn into the tube 60 and flows from a space defined between the outer periphery of the inner plunger body 711 and the inner periphery of the outer plunger body 712 into the nozzle head 90. Similarly, while the gas cartridge 3 can be used as a handle to facilitate the operation of the air pump 4, user thereof can disengage the gas cartridge 3 from the air pump 4 and use the tube 10 instead, yet disengagement therebetween will not inflict any inconvenience on the user when carrying out the second-mode operation of the air pump 4.

In view of the forgoing, the connector 30 and 80 is not adjacent to the nozzle head 40 and 90 and is disposed on the tube 10 and 60 so that the gas cartridge 3 will not inflict any inconvenience on user when carrying out the second-mode operation of the air pump 1 and 4, meanwhile, the gas cartridge 3 is adapted to be used as a handle to cause the tube 10 and 60 to move with respect to the tappet assembly 20 and 70. Moreover, air discharged from the gas cartridge 3 flows in the tube 10 and 60, the tappet assembly 20 and 70, and the connector 30 and 80 and existing from the nozzle head 40 and 90 into the object 2.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of invention and the scope of invention is only limited by the scope of accompanying claims. 

1. An air pump defines first and second ends, comprising: a tube; a tappet assembly movably connected to the tube; a connector joined to the tube and disposed at the second end of the air pump, and the connector defining a receiving section and including a valve stem disposed in the receptacle, with the valve stem defining a poking end; a nozzle head to which an object to be inflated by the air pump is engaged is disposed at the first end of the air pump; and wherein the air pump defines a longitudinal length between the first and second ends; wherein the air pump is operable in a first mode where a gas cartridge is engaged with the connector and the object is inflated by the gas cartridge rapidly, with an outlet of the gas cartridge opened by the poking end, with air discharged from the gas cartridge flowing in the tube, the tappet assembly, and the connector and existing from the nozzle head into the object; and wherein the air pump is operable in a second mode where the tube and the tappet are moved relatively for pumping air into the object; and wherein the gas cartridge is selectively engaged with the air pump which operates in the second mode, with the gas cartridge useable as a handle gripped for causing the tube to move with respect to the tappet assembly.
 2. The air pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector defines a longitudinal length between first and second ends thereof, with the receiving section extending from the first end, and the connector includes a receptacle extending from the receiving section, and a passage extending from the receptacle, and outlet of the gas cartridge is engaged with the receiving section for connecting e to the connector.
 3. The air pump as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a conduit connecting the nozzle head and the tappet assembly, with the conduit being flexible and resilient.
 4. The air pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tappet assembly includes a hollow plunger movably received within the tube, and a piston joined at an end of the plunger and inserted into and restrained within the tube, and includes a channel defined therein.
 5. The air pump as claimed in claim 4, wherein the channel of the piston is of a diametrical size relatively smaller than a diametrical size of the tube.
 6. The air pump as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a conduit connecting the nozzle head and the plunger of the tappet assembly, with the conduit being flexible and resilient.
 7. The air pump as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a conduit connecting the nozzle head and the plunger of the tappet assembly, with the conduit being flexible and resilient.
 8. The air pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connector includes an anti-reverse flow mechanism disposed on an outer periphery thereof and within the tube and being closer to the second end of the connector than the passage for preventing air from flowing back to the passage.
 9. The air pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tappet assembly includes a plunger including a hollow inner plunger body and a hollow outer plunger body, with the inner plunger body movably received in the outer plunger body, with the tube and the inner plunger body moved together with respect to the second inner plunger body when the air pump is operated in the second mode.
 10. The air pump as claimed in claim 9 further comprising an anti-reverse flow mechanism disposed in the inner plunger body for preventing air from flowing back to the inner plunger body. 